A spinning mirror and large beads invite baby to use two hands and individual fingers to activate this handsome rolling rattle. Also top rated: Tolo Acitvity cube, Roller Ball or Gripper Rattle, all beautifully crafted in sturdy primary-colored plastic with interesting action for baby to manipulate.

Pull Up Ball Blast(Fisher-Price $19.99 Score:) Designed for tots to pull up and stand at, this ball drop with a spiral chute looked promising. Trouble is, it's not weighted, so it doesn't hold still for tots who are still unsteady on their feet and the ramps don't connect smoothly for the ball run. Finally, like too many toys this season, the sound and lights are intrusive and loud. This is no substitute for the Tomy Ball Party toys. Marked 9 months to 3 years, we think it's too old for infants, too unsteady for young toddlers and not interesting enough for older toddlers.

Lamaze Puppytunes(Learning Curve International $19.99 Score:) Companion to the original Octotunes( with eight squeezable legs), this colorful velour puppy has only four squeezable legs and is less expensive. We doubt you'll make real music with this, so, four legs might well be as good as eight. With crinkle ears and polka-dotted and checkerboard patterns for eye-appeal, Puppytunes has stitched features and a cheerful face. Little hands will find the legs on the puppy easier to push and make something happen. No batteries are needed, this works on the old fashioned principle of a squeeze toy that is hand powered. It does have a vanilla scent that you will either love or hate. They say birth and up, but we think older babies and toddlers will enjoy it more. 9 months & up.

Just a swipe of the hand makes the beads roll and two little figures spin as it rocks. Interesting for gazing at, but even better for two-handed play. Also top rated: Twist & Turn, Play Triangle Activity Cube, or Gripper Rattle, all beautifully crafted in sturdy primary-colored plastic with interesting action for baby to manipulate.

Roll & Rhyme Melody Block(LeapFrog $19.99 Score:) Turn this big fabric block and it either plays music or says a rhyme about the animal featured on the topmost face. The block includes a small mirror, peek-a-boo leaves that open to reveal a parrot, a polar bear that slides on the snow, a fox that pops in and out of its den, and a lion with a satiny mane. Fun for rolling as well as exploring its textures and sounds. They say birth & up, we’d say more like 6 mos. & up. SNAP: Pleasingly easy to activate. Use this for a sing along or talking moment..naming the illustrations on the block or immitating the sounds.

So happy that this wonderful toy is back in the market! A former Platinum Award winner, it's now on our Blue Chip Award List. What we wrote in 2002: Finding easy-to-activate toys is key for young babies who are just learning the power of making something happen. Tolo First Friends Carousel comes with a big knob to make the little people spin inside a see-through dome.

Put and Peek Birdhouse(Manhattan Toy $19.95 Score:) This cheerful fabric birdhouse is a parent-intensive toy with lots of possibilities for hamming it up. You an fly the four birds into the house (the roof opens wide, as does one side). Our nine month old tester favored holding (and tasting) the red bird as he watched his father fly the other ones about. Preferrable to Infantino's Puppies Playhouse (same idea, but the animals aren't as nice and the house is smaller and not see-through).

Roll-a-Rounds Drop & Roar Dinosaur(Fisher-Price $35 Score:) This is a ball run with multiple openings from which balls appear. Played with sounds and lights or in silence, it can be enjoyed by a sitting-down baby. That said, this is a large piece of green plastic and younger babies may have trouble fitting the balls into the holes on the front of the dino, rather than dropping them in—as they can in Roll-a-Rounds Swirlin’ Surprise Gumballs ($17.99 4 1⁄2). This is a much smaller ball drop with a lever that pops the gumballs out. It employs more direct cause and effect, but it does tip over easily. Either is a better choice than the Jungle Friends Treehouse (), a frenetic ball drop with over-the-top sounds and twirling bases. (800) 432-5437.

Lamaze Chime Garden(Learning Curve International $24.99 Score:) Our eight-month old tester enjoyed tapping the flowers on this colorful floor toy. Talk about making things happen, his touch set off a not-too-loud chime and a light, as well. This is scaled just right for the sitting up baby. Flick a switch and instead of single sounds each flower will play a familiar song. An attractive musical toy that gives baby a sense of empowerment and a beginning grasp of cause and effect. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. A sample of this toy was tested in an independent lab and determined to be lead free.

Amazing Baby Clicky Duck(Kids Preferred $15 Score:) Twist the ducks soft patterned fabric body for a pleasing clicking sound, squeeze its “arms” for crinkle sounds. It has two chewy orange flapper feet and satin ribbons for extra interest and texture. Comes on a black and white clip for hanging on the stroller, but this one will be fun for sitting up babies who are ready for two handed play and making something happen! 8 months & up.
The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.